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Nikita cocktail from Portugal, in glass with pineapple wedge. White wine and beer bottles in background

Nikita | Cocktail From Madeira Island

You will not believe what is in this cocktail! A Nikita, a cocktail from Madeira Island Portugal, contains beer, wine and vanilla ice cream! Try it yourself and see how delicious this unsuspecting combination is. Fun Fact: the Nikita cocktail was named after the Elton John song Nikita. It is a typical drink from Câmara de Lobos, but it is popular all over the archipelago, Madeira and Porto Santo.
3.43 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Portuguese
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 10 oz fresh pineapple cubed
  • 6 oz vanilla ice cream
  • 4 oz beer lager
  • 4 oz white wine
  • 1 oz white rum optional

Instructions
 

  • Put all ingredients into the blender. Puree until smooth. Serve over ice.

Video

Notes

Optionally add a shot of white rum or sugar for sweetness. 
https://justcookwithmichael.com/recipes/espetada-portuguese-beef-skewers/
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Nikita: Madeira Island’s Iconic “Adult Milkshake”
Nikita is a uniquely Madeiran cocktail that blends the unexpected—beer, wine, and ice cream—into a sweet, creamy, and refreshing drink. Its playful, tropical character and local backstory have made it a staple across Madeira Island.
History and Origin
  • Nikita was created in 1985 in the fishing town of Câmara de Lobos, Madeira. The drink’s inventor, Marcelino, was a local who had emigrated to Brazil and returned to Madeira, likely bringing inspiration from Brazil’s love of tropical, creamy beverages
  • The cocktail’s name comes from Elton John’s 1985 hit song “Nikita,” which was a favorite of Marcelino’s and was topping charts the same year the drink debuted.
  • Originally a local curiosity, Nikita quickly spread across Madeira, becoming a beloved treat for both residents and tourists.
 
Some modern versions include local fruit juices (like passion fruit) or even a splash of white rum for extra kick
Why So Popular in Madeira?
  • Refreshing and Indulgent: Nikita is cold, creamy, and sweet—perfect for Madeira’s warm, subtropical climate.
  • Social and Festive: Its playful mix of beer, wine, and ice cream makes it a conversation starter and a popular choice at bars, festivals, and gatherings.
  • Local Identity: Like poncha and Madeira wine, Nikita is a symbol of the island’s inventive, fusion-driven culinary culture. Its origin in Câmara de Lobos—famous for its fishing heritage and as a favorite haunt of Winston Churchill—adds to its local charm.
  • Tourist Favorite: The novelty of combining ice cream with alcohol draws curious visitors, who often become fans after their first sip.
Nikita is the kind of drink that makes you do a double-take when you read the ingredients—beer, wine, and ice cream? Yet, it works: the beer’s light bitterness offsets the sweetness of the ice cream, while pineapple brings tropical acidity, and the wine adds a gentle warmth. It’s an “adult milkshake” that’s as fun to drink as it is to order. Locals might tell you to enjoy it with a side of peanuts or popcorn, and maybe even hum along to Elton John’s “Nikita” as you sip.
“I never dreamt that a mix of wine, beer and ice cream could taste so good.”
In the end, Nikita captures the spirit of Madeira—unexpected, vibrant, and always ready for a celebration.
https://justcookwithmichael.com/recipes/espetada-portuguese-beef-skewers/
Keyword Camara do Lobos, cocktail, ice cream cocktail, Madeira, Madeira Island Drinks, Nikita, Portuguese Cocktail